Disclaimer We are an Independent Information Guide and NOT the official government website. Visit Official Site (parivahan.gov.in) ↗

Green Tax on Old Vehicles in India (2026 Guide)

Priyanka Singh Priyanka Singh
|
Last Updated: June 17, 2026
| Vehicle Info
Concept showing environmental green tax on old vehicles and online payment screen
Understand the Green Tax mandate and how to pay it online via Parivahan.
⏱️ The Quick Summary (संक्षिप्त जानकारी): Is your vehicle getting older? To curb pollution, the government levies an environmental or Green Tax on older vehicles. Personal vehicles older than 15 years and commercial vehicles older than 8 years must pay this tax during RC renewal. If you are wondering about green tax on old vehicles how to pay online, you can easily clear this due through the Vahan Parivahan portal without visiting the RTO.

हिंदी में: प्रदूषण को नियंत्रित करने के लिए, 15 साल से पुराने निजी वाहनों और 8 साल से पुराने कमर्शियल वाहनों पर ग्रीन टैक्स (Green Tax) लगाया जाता है। आप इसे वाहन परिवहन पोर्टल के माध्यम से ऑनलाइन आसानी से जमा कर सकते हैं।

What is the Green Tax on Old Vehicles?

The "Green Tax" or Environment Tax is a surcharge levied by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and State Transport Departments on older, highly polluting vehicles. The revenue generated from this tax is utilized specifically to tackle environmental pollution and establish state-of-the-art emission monitoring stations.

Who Must Pay the Green Tax?

  • Personal Vehicles (Two-wheelers / Cars): Must pay the tax at the time of renewal of Registration Certificate (RC) after 15 years from the date of initial registration.
  • Transport / Commercial Vehicles: Must pay the tax at the time of renewal of their Fitness Certificate, generally after 8 years from the date of registration.

Green Tax on Old Vehicles: How to Pay Online? (Step-by-Step)

You do not need to stand in long queues at the RTO. Follow this simple guide to pay your Green Tax online through the official portal:

  1. Visit the Vahan Portal: Go to the official Vahan Parivahan Citizen Services website. (वाहन पोर्टल खोलें)
  2. Enter Vehicle Details: Enter your Vehicle Registration Number (RC number) and click 'Proceed'. (गाड़ी का नंबर डालें)
  3. Select Tax Service: Click on the option labeled "Pay Your Tax". (टैक्स भुगतान विकल्प चुनें)
  4. Verify Chassis Number: Enter the last 5 digits of your vehicle's Chassis Number and click 'Verify Details'.
  5. Review Tax Breakup: The system will display the tax arrears. Here, you will see the calculated Environment / Green Tax amount explicitly mentioned based on your vehicle's age.
  6. Proceed to Payment: Select your preferred payment gateway (Net Banking, UPI, or Debit Card) and complete the transaction.
  7. Download Receipt: Save the final PDF payment receipt. This serves as valid proof of tax clearance. (रसीद प्रिंट करें)

Green Tax Rates and Exemptions

The exact Green Tax rate varies significantly depending on the state, the city's pollution levels, and the vehicle's fuel type. For example, highly polluted cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow have higher tax slabs.

Vehicle Category (श्रेणी) Estimated Tax Slab (अनुमानित दर)
Highly Polluted Cities (e.g., Delhi/NCR) Up to 50% of the Road Tax
Other Cities (Petrol/Diesel Personal Vehicles) 10% to 25% of the Road Tax
Transport Vehicles (older than 8 yrs) 10% to 25% of Road Tax (annually)
Electric & Strong Hybrid Vehicles 100% Exempted (No Tax)

Note: Vehicles operating on clean fuels like CNG, LPG, Ethanol, and Electric Vehicles (EVs) are completely exempted from the Green Tax to promote eco-friendly transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) / अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

1. Is Green Tax mandatory for a 15-year-old bike? (क्या 15 साल पुरानी बाइक पर ग्रीन टैक्स लगता है?)

Yes, all personal two-wheelers and four-wheelers completing 15 years from registration must pay the Green Tax when applying for their RC renewal, unless they are electric.

2. What happens if I don't pay the Green Tax? (ग्रीन टैक्स नहीं भरने पर क्या होगा?)

If you fail to pay the tax, the RTO will not process your RC renewal or Fitness Certificate. Driving without a valid RC attracts massive fines and potential vehicle impoundment under the Motor Vehicles Act.

3. Are tractors exempted from Green Tax? (क्या ट्रैक्टरों को ग्रीन टैक्स से छूट है?)

Yes, vehicles primarily used for agricultural purposes, such as tractors, harvesters, and tillers, are currently exempted from the environmental Green Tax.

Priyanka Singh
Written by Priyanka Singh

Verified Expert at Parivahan Bharat's Editorial Board. View our strict CMVR compliance policy.

Was this RTO guide helpful?